Need new Wheels for 15 Tahoe LT- 22" or 24" Is 24" worth it?

[LTahoeFL]

Hey guys, i am new to the forum and I am sure this has been discussed already, I just brought a gray 2015 tahoe and I'm struggling with the idea if getting some KMC slides. I like the more conservative black look and I don't want to change my ride height. Are there other similar wheels I should look at that may be less expensive? I don't want to spend $2500 if I don't have to? Also should i go 22s or 24s? I went into a few local Orlando shops and they all try to talk me out of the 22s. I agree they may look better, but I had custom wheels years ago and they were a pain. What am I giving up with 24s.

 

[bgsntth]

With 24" wheels, and the assumption of a lot of additional unsprung weight, you will be giving up gas mileage, acceleration, braking, turn-in, and ride quality. You will also be increasing wear on suspension components and adding far greater risk of replacing damaged tires and wheels. At least the truck was designed for 22" wheels, so if the KMC's 24" wheels do not add that much weight over the OE22", you might be OK?

 

[LTahoeFL]

With 24" wheels, and the assumption of a lot of additional unsprung weight, you will be giving up gas mileage, acceleration, braking, turn-in, and ride quality. You will also be increasing wear on suspension components and adding far greater risk of replacing damaged tires and wheels. At least the truck was designed for 22" wheels, so if the KMC's 24" wheels do not add that much weight over the OE22", you might be OK?

Thanks for the info. That is the kind of response I was hoping to get. I haven't heard anything close to that from the local tire shops...Now I am better informed.

 

[olyelr]

The bigger wheels, to an extent, are mainly just an aesthetics thing. I can not think of one benefit of choosing 24's over 22's, except the aesthetics thing (if that is even your thing). I suppose if you had absolutely massive brakes and needed the extra room, maybe that would be another need/benefit.

If you are not trying to build a fairly custom looking Tahoe, I personally would not go over 22". Depending on the look/style you are after, a 20" may be even a better idea.

 

[LTahoeFL]

The bigger wheels, to an extent, are mainly just an aesthetics thing. I can not think of one benefit of choosing 24's over 22's, except the aesthetics thing (if that is even your thing). I suppose if you had absolutely massive brakes and needed the extra room, maybe that would be another need/benefit.

If you are not trying to build a fairly custom looking Tahoe, I personally would not go over 22". Depending on the look/style you are after, a 20" may be even a better idea.

Thanks for the voice of reason....All I keep hearing is "if I am looking at Black rims, they tent to look small so 24s are the way to go"

 

[sickk23]

I think 24s would look better, but 22s would also look great. I would imagine 22s tires and wheels are cheaper. Also a little less wear on your suspension. You stand a better chance of not bending a rim or blowing a tire on the 22s, but that’s kind of obvious.

22s now look OEM. So for a real tricked out look, 24s all of the way. I wouldn’t touch 20s. They look like you’re running donuts on this gen of suvs.

 

[cardude2000]

IMO, ultra cheesy. And the ride would be horrific.

 

[Fosscore]

Wheel size is a matter of opinion and there are some very good points above. My 06 has 24s (started with OEM 16s, then 20s), my 13 has 20s and the work 18 has 18s. All serve their purpose respectively and of course the thicker sidewall tire eats up the road and bumps very well. The newest body style K2XX that you are referring too are being delivered with OEM 22s.

That is a great size overall, but the 20s do a great job and look good too, if you want more sidewall. Many guys on here run 24s without any problems. As a suggestion, have a look at this tire calculator to get a better numerical representation of how much the tire sizes differ and contrast and compare other trucks on the forum to see what look you are going after. https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=295-35r24-285-45r22

You can change the values and compare tires side-by-side.

 

[noob]

I have 24 replicas on my 2010 escalade and it took a huge hit on gas mileage. And I have gone through many tires and at least 3 rims (bent from hitting large potholes or curbs).

My 2017 has 22’s and rides smooth, I get 17mpg avg on this car compared to the 13 I was getting on the other.

I just had a loaner escalade with 20’s on it. Same year as my 17, and believe it or not, I feel as though my car with 22’s rides smoother.

 

[CMoore711]

As previously stated the difference between 22’s and 24’s is almost purely aesthetic and for looks. Many of the OEM 22” wheels with tire weigh 88+lbs. each. Some of the multi-spoke heavier chrome variants are 92+ lbs. each for OEM 22’s! Most replicas aren’t any better when it comes to weight per wheel.

I’m not sure about the KMC Slides, but there are plenty of 24” wheel and tire setups that can weigh the same if not less than some of the OEM 22” wheel set-ups, and you don’t have to go to a forged wheel to achieve this either. With a 24” wheel set-up with the same or lesser weight than OEM 22’s all the factors of additional unsprung weight, negative affects on acceleration, braking, additional wear & tear on suspension become mute points. Because it is the additional weight above and beyond any stock wheel set-up that causes any of that.

You could experience a negative affect on ride quality and smoothness going with 24” rims, but that could also be the difference between a quality tire and a cheap tire no matter what the rim diameter...

 

[noob]

BTW, I'm hoping to find some 24's that weigh close to my factory 22's. B/c though the 22's look decent, 24's look better....

I replaced my water heater a couple months ago, but had my two cars on the street so I can accept delivery of the new heater in the driveway. So don't mind the heater in the pic....

 

[olyelr]

For what its worrh, the factory 22” chrome insert denali wheels and well worn original bridgestones weigh in at just under 85 pounds.

 

[jdeastbay]

I went black 22", Black Rhino Peak wheels love them with the Nitto Grappler G2.

 

[CMoore711]

For what its worrh, the factory 22” chrome insert denali wheels and well worn original bridgestones weigh in at just under 85 pounds.

View attachment 197947

Well worn huh?!?!

According to car and driver by “well worn” you must have worn off about 3+ lbs. worth of tread off your tire...

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/t...15-gmc-yukon-xl-denali-are-heavy-really-heavy

Could you see the steel belts showing through the tread?!?!

 

[olyelr]

Well worn huh?!?!

According to car and driver by “well worn” you must have worn off about 3+ lbs. worth of tread off your tire...

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/t...15-gmc-yukon-xl-denali-are-heavy-really-heavy

Could you see the steel belts showing through the tread?!?!

Lol! No they honestly were not bald by any means. Im not sure exactly how much tread was left, but there was still siping showing. My wife was still driving around with them in the winter with no drama. The main issue that drove me to swap them out was they were getting cupped and noisy, to the point they were extremely annoying.

Not really sure why, either. Truck was stock, alignment was fine, they were rotated whenever the dealer said it was time, but the insides of the tires were wearing... I think from the front end.

 

[CMoore711]

I seen that and thought; damn he got his money worth out of those tires for sure! I’m sure there’s some scale variation, some manufacturing tolerances, and even the number of weights used to balance the tire could impact the weight some. It’s probably safe to say they fall somewhere between 85-87 ish lbs. a piece though.

Here’s a good post for reference on varying wheel and tire weights from Tony’s 2016 Escalade Build thread comparing some OEM 22’s to 24” Replicas to 26” Dub Future’s...

OEM 22s with tires mounted was 85.1
24x10 reps with 305 35 24 95.2 lbs each
26s dub futures with tires 88.4 each
View attachment 168870

 

[massivespl]

24s don’t even look big on these big suv’s. They ride good. People who bend rims can’t drive. I’ve rode 26s and 28s for past 4 years and never bent anything and there are tons of pot holes in my city too. I just don’t drive like a woman, watch where your driving. No texting and driving. It’s amazing when u actually drive and watch the road.

Also KMC slides are dated and washed up. Your truck will look like it’s came from 2007 if you put slides on it... get some 24” reps or some strada coda wheels a new style wheel not an old style

 

[2016YUKONSLT]

I have 24" Dub Futures and Norcal's 2/4" drop kit. My gas mileage is the same as before when I had the 20" stock rim. Ride quality is a little more bumpier due to smaller sidewall on country roads. Once on the highway or interstate, I can't tell the difference. Random people compliment the truck constantly and ask if they are 22's. They are surprised when I tell them they are 24s.

The market for 24s tires is smaller than the market for 22s. That means there are more tires available for the 22s by different manufacturers.

 

[fozzi58]

Was looking at the KMC D2s in 24's. Specs show the wheel weighs 39lbs; grappler IIs at 58lbs. SO I am looking at 98lbs each wheel. I am assuming a 10lbs increase over he factory 18"s and whatever tires are on there. A little disappointed because I was hoping I could lighten the load a bit since I am pushing the wheel weigh outwards. Thats another 40lbs+ of unsprung weight which is going to hinder performance a bit. I can only hope the wilwoods down the road will cut some of that off. :/

 

[LTahoeFL]

I have 24" Dub Futures and Norcal's 2/4" drop kit. My gas mileage is the same as before when I had the 20" stock rim. Ride quality is a little more bumpier due to smaller sidewall on country roads. Once on the highway or interstate, I can't tell the difference. Random people compliment the truck constantly and ask if they are 22's. They are surprised when I tell them they are 24s.

The market for 24s tires is smaller than the market for 22s. That means there are more tires available for the 22s by different manufacturers.

Thanks. Silly question, but I figured i would ask. Outside of aesthetics, what would be the reason to drop the ride height?